The Hintzsche companies headquartered just south of Maple Park, rolled out the red carpet to show their appreciation for their customers and to celebrate 50 years of business. Employees gathered Aug. 21 in Troxel to entertain and treat their customers.

The agriculture retailer began in 1962 when brothers Kenneth and Richard Hintzsche purchased the grain mill. Since then, it grew to include agronomy locations in Kirkland, Scarboro, Minooka, as well as fuel sites in Troxel, DeKalb (Pacific Pride), Rochelle and Waterman. Hintzsche’s Pork Division primarily operates out of Amboy and Sheridan, and the feed mill, one of the first structures to be built at the original Troxel site in 1963 still remains a vital part of the operation today.

An estimated 1,400 guests attended the event. They received a gift bag and a ticket to enter the prize drawings, which included the grand prize of a 2012 John Deere Gator.